A lot has changed in the 13 years since a group of young blokes formed the East Maitland Eagles to have a social game of rugby with mates. Hairlines have receded, the pre-season aches last a lot longer and now more than half the team have kids running around on the ground before training. But after a three-year hiatus, the Eagles are back with the same agenda of having a game of social rugby with mates. Coach and original Eagle Brad Dilley said the club ran uninterrupted from 2007-14 and made the divisional grand final in 2016 after a year's break. But players moved on and work and family commitments started to take precedence and the Eagles were put on hold for three years. They are waiting for final approval from the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union on a return to competition but have met all criteria to date and Dilley is confident of fielding a team in the division competition this year. "We've got about 15 to 18 players who are interested in playing. About half of those are former players who are back and have got kids and the like now," Dilley said. "The other half is younger blokes like ourselves at the start who are just looking for a social game of rugby. "It's been word of mouth with players bringing mates along, but there's a commitment there now and we wanted to get the word out to all potential players from the area. "We play at 3pm so you can take the kids to their sports in the morning and you don't have to rush to get back here to play." For more details visit the East Maitland Eagles Rugby Club Facebook page.

East Maitland Eagles Rugby Club set to fly again in 2020

ENTHUSIASTIC: Young recruits Ramsey Bukavaru and Jayden Morrison with East Maitland Rugby Club original Adam Hewitt who played 110 games with the Eagles. Picture: Michael Hartshorn

A lot has changed in the 13 years since a group of young blokes formed the East Maitland Eagles to have a social game of rugby with mates.

Hairlines have receded, the pre-season aches last a lot longer and now more than half the team have kids running around on the ground before training.

But after a three-year hiatus, the Eagles are back with the same agenda of having a game of social rugby with mates.

Coach and original Eagle Brad Dilley said the club ran uninterrupted from 2007-14 and made the divisional grand final in 2016 after a year's break.

But players moved on and work and family commitments started to take precedence and the Eagles were put on hold for three years.

They are waiting for final approval from the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union on a return to competition but have met all criteria to date and Dilley is confident of fielding a team in the division competition this year.

"We've got about 15 to 18 players who are interested in playing. About half of those are former players who are back and have got kids and the like now," Dilley said.

"The other half is younger blokes like ourselves at the start who are just looking for a social game of rugby.

"It's been word of mouth with players bringing mates along, but there's a commitment there now and we wanted to get the word out to all potential players from the area.

"We play at 3pm so you can take the kids to their sports in the morning and you don't have to rush to get back here to play."

For more details visit the East Maitland Eagles Rugby Club Facebook page.